Descriptions

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) depend on the fir-dominated forest ecosystem in the
states of Michoacán and Mexico for shelter during their winter hibernation. Since 1980, the
Mexican government has sought to protect this natural phenomenon by designating their
overwintering habitat as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR). According to
the 2000 census, the MBBR has a human population of over 500,000. Of the more than
56,000-hectare reserve, the majority of the land is owned by ejidos, a communal form of
land ownership unique to Mexico. Besides this region's importance to its butterfly and
human populations, 26% of the greater Mexico City area's water supply comes from the
Monarch Region.
The objective of my research was to identify and assess the socio-economic, cultural, and
institutional issues that facilitate or constrain the sustainable forest management of the
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. The methodology of this investigation consisted of
qualitative interviews, forest visits, attending meetings and workshops, and literature review.
In the MBBR, social issues such as poor ejidal organization, lack of communication between
the government and the public, landowners' distrust in the government, overpopulation, and
low levels of education combine to impede social sustainability. Issues that restrain the
economic sustainability within the MBBR are lack of employment, underdevelopment of
alternative income sources, lack of value-added timber products, and misallocation of
funding and aid. The main issues preventing ecological sustainability are uncontrolled
illegal harvesting and processing, conversion of forestland to agriculture and residential
expansion, and restrictive, non-scientifically based harvesting regulations. All of these
issues combine to threaten the future of the monarch region.